Braunton Burrows

Braunton Burrows is a sand dune system on the North Devon coast. Braunton Burrows is a prime British sand dune site, the largest sand dune system (psammosere) in England. It is particularly important ecologically because it includes the complete successional range of dune plant communities, with over 400 vascular plant species. The short turf communities are very rich in lichens and herbs, and the dune slacks are also rich. The many rare plants and animals include 14 with UK Biodiversity Action Plans. For example, this is one of only two sites in the UK for the Amber Sandbowl Snail "Catinella arenaria", which is found on the wet dune slacks.

Use

The site is currently leased by the Ministry of Defence from the Christie Devon Estates Trust. The area is closed for 10 days per year for army training. It is also used, particularly by local people, for a range of leisure activities, particularly dog-walking, from three large car parks adjacent to the site. There is a long tradition of scientific research, particularly botanical. Tourism is an important use of the area in summer. The more isolated parts of the Burrows are noted for naturism.Fact|date=October 2007

Designations

*UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
*National Nature Reserve (part)
*SSSI
*Ramsar site
*Special Area of Conservation
*North Devon AONB
*North Devon Heritage Coast

Part of the site was de-declared as an NNR in 1996 because of a disagreement over grazing management practices between the landowner Christie Devon Estates Trust and English Nature. This de-declaration was a unique occurrence.

crub invasion

Scrub invasion is managed to maintain a state of semi-equilibrium and prevent succession to a climax community. The methods of scrub management used have become a point of contention between the various parties involved with the site.

During the 1970s invasion of coarse grasses were managed largely by rabbit grazing. The spread of myxomatosis resulted in rabbit population decline and consequent encroachment of species rich turf by scrub species such as privet "Ligustrum vulgare" and heather "Calluna vulgaris". Decline in species diversity was exacerbated through the introduction of sea buckthorn "Hippophae rhamnoides" by the military. This attempt at dune stabilisation was implemented after preparations for the Normandy landings caused widespread erosion. Deep rooted species such as bramble, hawthorn and willow were also able to flourish and resulted in several sallow carr communities These species were maintained and species rich turf later established through a combination of management techniques.

The burning of deep rooted species often made the soil more fertile but led to the spread of coarse grasses. These grasses were later managed by mowing in combination with grazing by soay sheep and cattle.

Grazing was viewed by the Christies Estates Trust as exacerbating erosion and hence damaging to species diversity. The trust therefore opposed the introduction of sheep and cattle to the site. However English Nature felt that this turnover was erosive but nevertheless was less invasive than mowing. English Nature felt the turnover of soil increased species diversity and with the use of soay sheep, maintained a desirable balance to ecosystems. It was this disagreement that was the main factor which led to the de-designation of the site as a National Nature Reserve in 1996.

External links

* [http://www.ukmab.org/BRReport/Braunton.htm UK Biosphere Reserves Review 1998]
* [http://www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk/ North Devon AONB website]
* [http://handbooks.btcv.org.uk/handbooks/content/section/3959 BCTV handbook on vegetation changes]
* [http://www.ttef.org.uk/ The Taw and Torridge Estuary forum]
* [http://www2.unesco.org/mab/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?mode=all&code=UKM+02 UNESCO MAB biosphere reserves directory]